What is Oleic Acid?
Oleic acid is an omega-9 fatty acid produced naturally by the body. Also, the highest levels are found in olive oil and other cooking oils or in some foods. The acid type is most commonly used to prevent heart disease and lower cholesterol. While it can also be used to prevent cancer and other conditions, there is no good scientific evidence to support these other uses.
It should not be confused with oleic acid (such as the Mediterranean diet) and oils, such as canola oil or sunflower oil, which contain oleic acid, olive oil and higher levels of oleic acid. While oleic acid-containing oils are used to replace saturated fats in the diet, health benefits include lowering cholesterol, improving heart conditions by reducing inflammation in the body.
Oleic Acid Side Effects and Safety
Oleic acid is safe when used in oral intake and in food amounts. There is not enough reliable research yet to know whether oleic acid is safe when taken orally as a medicine. In addition, there is not enough information to determine whether drugs and supplements containing this fatty acid are safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Food Sources of Oleic Acid
Oleic acid is an omega-9 fatty acid found naturally in the body, various animals or plants, fats and oils. It is a colorless and odorless oil, but can be yellowish in color in use. Chemically, oleic acid is categorized as a monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid, abbreviated with a cis-9 lipid number of 18: 1. It also has the formula CH3 (CH2) 7CH = CH (CH2) 7COOH. Its name derives from the Latin word oleum meaning oil and is a common fatty acid in nature. Oleic acid is used in many foods as an ingredient in the form of triglycerides.
This acid is a non-essential fatty acid, meaning it is produced naturally by the human body. It is an essential member of the Omega-9 class of monounsaturated fatty acids and constitutes 92% of the cis-isomer monounsaturated fats in the diet. In soap, oleic acid as the sodium salt is an important ingredient as an emulsifying agent, it is also used as a softener. In pharmaceuticals, small amounts of oleic acid are used as an excipient and as a solubilizing or emulsifying agent in aerosol products. Commercially used in the preparation of lotion, oleates and as a pharmacological solvent. It is a low melting solid and two crystalline forms have been adopted. It is a long chain carboxylic acid and surrounds the molecule, a double bond between C9 and C10 with cis configuration.
Oleic Acid History and Origin
The word oleic acid means that it is derived from or related to olives. It is abundant in many nut species, plus it is spread by rotting insect bodies, which, according to a pheromone, is used as a warning sign for some insect species.
Health Benefits of Oleic Acid
There are many discovered health benefits of oleic acid, and they are as follows:
Lowers blood pressure
Olive oil is beneficial in improving cardiovascular health by lowering blood pressure. The study shows that the hypotensive effects of olive oil are due to high oleic acid. Studies show that oleic acid intake regulates membrane lipid structure, which controls G protein-mediated signaling and regulates blood pressure. Its high oleic acid content is responsible for lowering blood pressure.
It lowers cholesterol
Nuts and oils contain high levels of oleic acid. It has been found that the acid-rich diet has equal cholesterol-lowering effects by maintaining HDL cholesterol levels and lowering triglycerides. A diet rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, especially olive oil, has cholesterol lowering and health protective effects.
Burns fat
Healthy fat intake is an important element for losing weight and losing weight. Oleic acid helps control excess insulin necessary for weight loss. What’s more, adding healthy fats to the diet helps reduce hunger, overeating and cravings, as they are filling, and keep the person feeling full for longer.
One study shows that a diet enriched with olive oil causes greater weight loss over an eight-week period. The women in the olive oil group took a plant-based olive oil diet containing 3 tablespoons of olive oil per day. The results show that 80 percent (at least) of women on the olive oil-enriched diet experienced 5 percent weight loss. Additionally, it resulted in higher HDL cholesterol levels and lower triglycerides.
Prevents diabetes
Those with prediabetes symptoms or type 2 diabetes should add more oleic acid to the diet. Studies show that saturated fat palmitic acid and monounsaturated fat oleic acid have beneficial effects on insulin sensitivity and type 2 diabetes. It is caused by anti-inflammatory effects and inhibits the activity of the insulin signaling pathway. It shows that oleic acid intake regulates the insulin released to increase glucose uptake from the bloodstream.
Increases brain activity
Research shows an inverse relationship between monounsaturated fatty acids intake and cognitive decline. Healthy fats have been shown to protect against age-related cognitive decline and may work as a natural treatment for Alzheimer’s. A study was conducted to evaluate fatty acid profiles in brain samples with mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease, and no cognitive impairment. Post-mortem brain plasma from people with Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment has been found to contain low levels of oleic acid compared to those with proper brain function.
Prevents ulcerative colitis
Those with ulcerative colitis should make oleic acid a part of the diet. The study included 25000 adult men and women living in the UK, and the relationship between food intake containing oleic acid and the development of ulcerative colitis was evaluated. Higher intake of omega-6 fatty acids was associated with the development of ulcerative colitis, while higher intake of oleic acid was inversely correlated with the development of ulcerative colitis.
Fights infections
Oleic acid and other free fatty acids strengthen the immune systems and fight infections. Laboratory and animal studies show that it has antibacterial properties and protective effects. Animal studies show that oleic acid intake has a beneficial role in sepsis, a life-threatening infection that spreads through the bloodstream. The effect of oleic acid supplementation was studied on mice with sepsis and found in this review to improve clinical symptoms and prevent liver and kidney damage. It has also been reported to increase survival rate and reduce plasma non-esterified fatty acids that are promoted during severe systemic inflammatory response.
Repairs damaged skin
This is the main reason why olive oil is used in skin products. Contains oleic acid with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effects. Oils have high oleic acid and a thicker consistency, which locks moisture into the skin. It is beneficial for people with dry skin and even dry hair. It acts as an emollient and is used in hair products to make the hair softer and smoother.
Reduces the risk of cancer
Oleic acid is an antioxidant that prevents oxidative stress that leads to various health conditions such as cancer. It has beneficial effects in cancer processes as it plays a role in the activation of different intracellular pathways that play a role in the development of cancer cells.
Promotes mood
In the study, a diet rich in oleic acid was associated with higher resting energy expenditure, increased physical activity, and lower anger levels. In 20 adolescent boys with ADHD, blood oleic acid levels were positively associated with brain flexibility, openness and extroversion in boys. Recommended intakes of oleic acid vary by age and are in nanomoles per milliter. These intake amounts are as follows:
- 250 to 3,500 nmol / mL in those under 1 year of age
- 1-17 years old 350 to 3,500 nmol / mL
- 18 years and older 650 to 3,500 nmol / mL
In addition, 1-2 tablespoons of these oils are sufficient when converted to daily consumption.
Side Effects of Oleic Acid
In ancient times, oleic acid was used as a remedy and therapy. Natural sources such as olives and nuts are considered a part of the basic diet and are used in the treatment of skin ailments and gastrointestinal diseases. Besides the benefits of oleic acid, it may have some side effects in inappropriate consumption. These side effects are as follows:
• Oleic acid supplements should be avoided when using blood thinners, as they increase blood pressure significantly and cause bleeding.
• The doctor should be consulted in case of illness, as it causes adverse reactions with continuously used drugs.
• Breastfeeding and pregnant women should not use oleic acid supplements.
• Studies have shown that women with increased oleic acid in the bloodstream have an increased risk of developing breast cancer.
• Oleic Acid should not be used if there is hypersensitivity.